Return on Life: Be a leader, not a complainer

How often do we all read or hear a news account of a talented star athlete gone wrong? Literally on a daily basis, we read about DUIs, assaults, drug related arrests and more from professional athletes. We shake our heads and sigh, or complain--and move on with our lives. One former professional athlete has decided to DO something about it. Michael Irvin, former Dallas Cowboys superstar and NFL Hall of Famer--and former bad boy himself--has, over the past several years mentored several of the current NFL problem players. And now he's gone a step beyond that.

He convinced NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to bring all the NFL rookies to Hall of Fame activities in Canton, OH. By doing so, he hopes to help these young players grasp the bigger picture earlier on in their careers. And Goodell enthusiastically agreed. Irving is choosing to be a leader.

Think about people and situations that are not going the way you believe they should. Are you merely complaining, or is there a way you can influence the situation? Complaining and casting blame is much easier, but by making the choice to be a leader, you can truly help create a better Return on Life for everyone involved!

Return on Life: Enjoy the Journey

I wrote last about having to adjust my "get fit and stay healthy" goal for the year. I had planned to accomplish that goal through running, including a half marathon in the fall. That plan has been interrupted, if not completely trashed, by a nagging Achilles tendon issue. To stay active while I allow the tendon to heal, I've begun swimming.

I remember my father teaching me to swim, and how scary it was, at 5 years old, to push off the side to kick and float without support for the first time, with him standing probably only ten feet away, arms outstretched. He had to reassure me several times that he would be there to catch me--and he was! From that point on, I spent hours and hours at our local outdoor pool in the summer and at an indoor Olympic-size indoor pool year round as a teen. I even taught swimming lessons (the four and five year-olds were the most fun!). But then came a period of my life where I just didn't swim. For many years I was just involved in other activities and didn't spend much time around a pool.

Being forced to make the transition back to swimming has reminded me how much I love it. I love the water, the sound of the voices echoing indoors, and the squealing children playing in the cold water with the hot sun. Think about activities you used to enjoy as a child, teen, even young adult that you have not done for awhile. Identify something that used to please you to be involved in, and give it a shot again. You may have forgotten how much enjoyment you gained from it. If you're like me, you may reconnect with an activity that truly increases your enjoyment of the journey of reaching a personal goal!